Jim Hogg County, Texas
The most common soil here is Nueces, on about 18% of the land: a fine sand, loose sand that holds almost no water. Delmita and Sarita come next.
About 67% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 54% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 40% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 1% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 5% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Jim Hogg County, Texas, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is B (moderate infiltration). The most common soil order is Alfisols — moderately leached forest soils with a clay-enriched subsoil. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Jim Hogg County, Texas. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nueces-Sarita association, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 232K | Moderately well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Delmita and Bruni soils, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 126K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Delmita fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 109K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Falfurrias fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes | 56K | Somewhat excessively drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Brennan fine sandy loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes | 46K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Comitas loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 42K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Copita fine sandy loam, warm, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 37K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Cuevitas-Randado complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 26K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Randado-Delmita complex, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 13K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Tela sandy clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes, occasionally flooded | 11K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hebbronville loamy fine sand, 0 to 3 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Not limited |
| Dune land | 6K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Delfina loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 6K | Moderately well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Zapata soils, gently sloping | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Garceno soils | 3K | Well drained | B | Very limited | Somewhat limited |
| Oil-waste land | 486 | Well drained | D | Not limited | Very limited |
| Pits, caliche | 110 | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Water | 66 | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Pits, gravel | 4 | D | Not rated | Not rated |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 40% of soils have significant building limitations, while the rest are generally suitable. Check specific sites carefully — conditions vary across the area.
Septic Systems
About 54% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Drainage is generally favorable for gardening. Adding compost and mulch will improve fertility and water retention. Test your soil's pH before planting — most vegetables prefer 6.0-7.0.